Naruto rebirth! Born again with a system.

Chapter 21: Sparring and training!

The mission briefing room fell silent after Shibi's departure, the weight of their first assignment settling over Team 15 like a heavy shroud. The three newly promoted genin stared at the tactical maps still spread across the table, each processing the reality of what they had just been told in their own way.

"C-rank mission," Tatsuma said quietly, his voice carrying a mixture of disbelief and growing anxiety. "Possible B-rank. For our first assignment."

"With active enemy forces," Aotaka added, his fingers unconsciously drumming against the table as his mind worked through the implications. "Stone Village infiltration teams that have already killed other escort squads. Trained killers..."

Kōzaru leaned back in his chair, wincing slightly as the movement aggravated his training injuries from the previous night. "Well," he said with dark humour, "I guess whatever cosmic force dropped us in this world wasn't kidding when it said we'd be thrown into the deep end. No gentle introduction to ninja life for us."

"You really think we'll have to..." Tatsuma began, then stopped, unable to finish the question that was weighing on all their minds.

"Kill people?" Aotaka completed, his voice steady but carrying undertones of uncertainty. "If we encounter enemy ninja trying to destroy critical supplies that our forces need to survive? Or worse, try to kill us... Probably, yes."

The word hung in the air between them, stark and uncompromising. They had trained for combat, practiced lethal techniques with weapons, and understood intellectually that ninja work involved violence. But the reality of taking human lives—even enemy lives—was different from theoretical understanding. Different from anything they had been used to in the real world, having never really thought about it when watching the show.

"I've been thinking about this since we got our promotions," Kōzaru admitted, his voice thoughtful but troubled. "We're not just playing ninja anymore. This is real, with real consequences for real people. If we fail, our own forces might die because they don't have the supplies they need. Or worse, we die for real this time."

"And if we succeed," Tatsuma said quietly, "we might have to live with having killed people to do it."

They sat in contemplative silence for several moments, each wrestling with the moral and emotional implications of their new reality. The transition from academy students to active shinobi had happened so quickly that they hadn't had time to fully process what it meant.

"You know what?" Aotaka said finally, his voice carrying growing determination. "We can't change the situation we're in, but we can make sure we're as prepared as possible. If we're going to face enemy ninja tomorrow, we'd better use today to get stronger."

"Training together," Kōzaru agreed, straightening in his chair despite his soreness. "Real combat practice, not academy exercises. We need to understand each other's capabilities and how to coordinate under pressure."

"That's actually a good idea," Tatsuma said, his anxiety beginning to transform into focused energy. "We haven't even tested our moves out on each other yet. If we're going to be depending on each other in combat, we should know what we can actually do."

They gathered their gear and made their way out of the administration building, the morning sunlight feeling somehow more precious knowing they would soon be facing genuine danger. The village around them buzzed with the constant activity of wartime preparation—supply caravans being loaded, patrols departing for border duty, and the ever-present tension of a community under threat.

"Training Ground 7," Aotaka suggested as they walked. "It's on the edge of the village, usually empty during morning hours. We can practice without worrying about interference or attracting too much attention."

The training ground they selected was indeed deserted, a cleared area surrounded by forest that provided both space for manoeuvres and relative privacy. The morning air was crisp and clean, carrying the scents of pine and earth that reminded them this might be one of the last peaceful moments they would have for a while.

"So how do we want to do this?" Kōzaru asked, setting down his equipment and stretching carefully. Yuki and Riku positioned themselves nearby, sensing their partner's mood and remaining alert but relaxed.

"Sparring matches," Tatsuma suggested. "One-on-one, no holding back but obviously no permanent damage. We need to see what we can really do when we're serious."

"I'll fight you first," Aotaka said to Tatsuma, his hand moving instinctively to check his sword's position. "Our styles are different enough that it should be interesting."

"Sounds good," Tatsuma agreed, rolling his shoulders and flexing his fingers as he prepared for combat. "Full techniques, or just taijutsu to start?"

"Let's begin with taijutsu and see where it goes," Aotaka replied, taking a ready stance that showcased his solid foundation, something he had never had experience of in his previous life.

Kōzaru settled onto a fallen log with Yuki and Riku flanking him, all three watching with interest as their teammates prepared to spar. "This should be educational," he murmured to his companions, who responded with interested attention, with Yuki jumping up onto his lap and Riku taking a more relaxed position as he shifted his attention towards the other two.

The match began with careful circling, both fighters evaluating their opponent's stance and movement patterns. Tatsuma moved with the fluid efficiency of someone who had spent countless hours drilling basic forms, while Aotaka's movements carried the solid strength and precision that came from Senju clan enhancements.

Tatsuma struck first, launching into a classic combination—a feint high followed by a low sweep that tested Aotaka's balance. The Senju stepped back smoothly, his reflexes allowing him to read the deception before countering with a straight punch aimed at Tatsuma's exposed ribs. The Uzumaki twisted away, the blow grazing his side with enough force to make him grunt in acknowledgment of his opponent's power.

The exchange established the rhythm that would define their taijutsu bout. Tatsuma flowed between stances like water, his footwork creating angles that maximized his reach advantage while his hands wove defensive patterns that deflected Aotaka's heavier strikes. The Senju fought with methodical precision, each block positioned to redirect momentum while his counterattacks sought to end exchanges decisively.

For several minutes, they danced around each other in a display of fundamental combat techniques. Tatsuma's superior speed allowed him to score with quick jabs and kicks to Aotaka's legs and torso, but the enhanced durability that came with the Senju bloodline meant these strikes barely registered. When Aotaka did connect, his blows carried the impact of a sledgehammer—a glancing elbow to Tatsuma's shoulder left the entire arm tingling with numbness.

"You're faster than I expected," Aotaka admitted during a brief separation, breathing hard but not yet winded. His stance remained solid, ready to continue.

"And you hit like a sledgehammer," Tatsuma replied, rolling his shoulder to work feeling back into it. "I can see what that Senju enhancement is all about."

Kōzaru continued to watch with interest, knowing that both of their Taijutsu levels were at the same rank, meaning it would come down to experience and tactical thinking in a prolonged hand-to-hand fight.

The sparring resumed with increased intensity. Tatsuma began chaining his techniques together more aggressively—a high kick flowing into a spinning backfist, followed immediately by a low takedown attempt. His movements became more unpredictable, forcing Aotaka to rely on reactive defense rather than the counter-attacking rhythm he preferred.

Aotaka adapted by shortening his defensive perimeter, using his strength advantage to muscle through Tatsuma's combinations and create openings for devastating close-range techniques. A successful grab led to a hip throw that sent the Uzumaki tumbling across the training ground, though Tatsuma managed to roll with the impact and spring back to his feet.

[CHAKRA: 174/174 → 99/174] 

"Time to change the game," Tatsuma called out as he formed hand seals. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Two perfect copies materialized beside him, their stances identical to the original as they immediately began to spread out. The tactical shift was immediate and profound—three coordinated opponents presented challenges that Aotaka's taijutsu skill alone couldn't address.

The clones moved with perfect synchronization, one feinting left while another pressed right, forcing Aotaka to divide his attention between multiple threat vectors. Their taijutsu combinations became layered attacks—when the original Tatsuma launched a high kick, one clone would simultaneously attempt a leg sweep while the third positioned for a follow-up strike.

"Clever," Aotaka acknowledged, his defensive movements becoming more frantic as he tried to track three opponents simultaneously. "But I can adapt too."

The sound of steel leaving its sheath rang across the training ground as Aotaka drew his blade, the weapon gleaming in the morning sunlight. His entire combat stance shifted, the solid defensive positioning of his taijutsu giving way to the fluid readiness of a kenjutsu practitioner.

"Kunai out!" Tatsuma called to his clones, and all three drew the basic ninja tools in response to the escalating threat.

[CHAKRA: 123/123 → 103/123] 

"Chakra Flow!" Aotaka announced as energy began coursing through his blade.

The sword took on an intense blue aura as his chakra integrated with the metal, and the very air around the weapon seemed to hum with contained power. When the first clone rushed in, attempting to parry with its kunai, the enhanced blade didn't just deflect the smaller weapon—it sheared clean through the steel as if it were paper before continuing its arc to dispel the clone in a puff of smoke.

The broken kunai hit the ground with a metallic clatter that seemed unnaturally loud in the sudden quiet.

"One down," Aotaka said with grim satisfaction, already pivoting to face the remaining threats.

The demonstration of his weapon's cutting power forced an immediate tactical shift. The remaining clone and original Tatsuma began using their kunai defensively, angling their blades to deflect rather than block directly while maintaining careful distance from the chakra-enhanced sword.

But Aotaka's kenjutsu training had prepared him for exactly this scenario. His blade work created overlapping zones of control, each swing covering multiple angles of attack while he pressed forward aggressively. The second clone fell when it mistimed a dodge, the enhanced blade catching it across the midsection and dispelling it instantly.

Now facing the sword-wielding Senju alone, Tatsuma's expression grew determined rather than discouraged.

[CHAKRA: 105/174 → 30/174]

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he called out, creating three more copies despite the significant chakra cost.

The training ground suddenly filled with coordinated movement as four Tatsumas worked in perfect harmony. But this time, their strategy was more sophisticated—they began forming seals while maintaining their spacing.

[CHAKRA: 30/174 → 10/174]

"Shadow Clone Shuriken Jutsu!"

Each clone produced a handful of shuriken, but as they threw them, the projectiles multiplied exponentially in midair. What had been twelve throwing stars became dozens, then hundreds, creating a storm of steel that filled the air between them and Aotaka.

The Senju's eyes widened as he processed the scope of the attack. His chakra-enhanced blade could cut through the projectiles, but there were simply too many coming from too many angles to deflect them all with sword work alone.

[CHAKRA: 103/123 → 73/123]

"Lightning Style: Static Force!" Aotaka shouted, his hands forming rapid seals that he could only use thanks to picking the jutsu as a perk.

Electricity began crackling around his body as he channelled his lightning nature chakra, the energy creating a defensive field that sparked and snapped with contained power. When he swung his sword through the storm of shuriken, the combined effects were devastating—the chakra flow cut through the metal projectiles while the static electricity disintegrated the fragments, creating a clear path through the attack.

But maintaining both techniques simultaneously was incredibly taxing. Sweat beaded on Aotaka's forehead as he fought to keep both his sword enhancement and lightning defense active while the remaining shuriken clattered harmlessly off his electrical field.

[CHAKRA: 73/123 → 33/123]

The technique's chakra cost was enormous, and Tatsuma's clones immediately recognized the opportunity. All four versions rushed forward simultaneously, seeking to capitalize on Aotaka's depleted state before he could recover.

The final exchange was a blur of desperate techniques and exhausted determination. Aotaka's enhanced blade managed to dispel two more clones, but the chakra cost of maintaining his dual techniques while fighting multiple opponents proved unsustainable. His lightning field flickered and died just as the original Tatsuma closed to striking range.

The collision of their final attacks created a small explosion of displaced air and scattered debris, forcing Kōzaru and his companions to shield their eyes from the dust cloud that resulted.

When the air cleared, both fighters were on the ground, breathing hard and obviously exhausted. Tatsuma's last clone had been dispelled by Aotaka's final sword strike, but the coordinated assault had succeeded in overwhelming the Senju's defenses, leaving both combatants winded and nearly depleted of chakra.

"Draw," Kōzaru announced, rising from his observation post. "You both pushed each other to your absolute limits. That was incredible to watch!" He yelled in excitement.

Both fighters accepted his assessment with tired nods, neither having the energy to argue even if they had disagreed with the judgment.

"Your shadow clone coordination is terrifying," Aotaka said to Tatsuma as they helped each other to their feet, his voice carrying genuine respect. "The way you layered those techniques... that shuriken multiplication caught me completely off guard."

"And your sword work is absolutely deadly," Tatsuma replied, picking up the pieces of the broken kunai. "And that lightning technique... combining them both was brilliant."

"Nearly killed me though," Aotaka admitted with a tired laugh. "I couldn't have kept that up much longer."

As they recovered from their sparring session, both fighters noticed the familiar chime of their internal systems acknowledging their growth through combat.

Experience Gained: 100 EXP

"Well," Tatsuma said with a tired smile, "at least the training was worth it in multiple ways."

"Same here," Aotaka agreed, checking his own system interface. "That was the most intense sparring session I've ever had. I learned a lot about what I can and can't do in extended combat."

Kōzaru studied his teammates with newfound respect, his mind working through what he had observed during their match. Both had demonstrated capabilities that exceeded what he had expected, and their different fighting styles would provide excellent tactical flexibility during missions.

"So who do you think is strongest among us?" he mused aloud, the question prompted by the impressive display he had just witnessed.

"Hard to say," Tatsuma replied, stretching muscles that were already beginning to stiffen from exertion. "We all have different strengths. Your clan techniques and ninja hounds provide capabilities that neither of us can match."

"Plus you've been training with your mother," Aotaka added with a wince of sympathy. "If last night's session was any indication, your combat skills are probably advancing faster than ours."

"Maybe," Kōzaru said, "but what I saw today suggests we're all more capable than we realized. That's going to be important tomorrow when we face real enemies."

The mention of their upcoming mission brought a sobering end to their post-sparring discussion. They had used their training time well, learning about each other's capabilities and pushing themselves to new levels of performance. But tomorrow they would face opponents who weren't pulling their punches or holding back their lethal techniques.

"We should head home," Aotaka suggested, gathering his equipment and sheathing his sword. "Rest, prepare our gear, and make sure we're ready for whatever tomorrow brings."

"Good idea," Tatsuma agreed. "Today was educational, but tomorrow is going to be the real test."

As they made their way back toward the village, each lost in his own thoughts about the challenges ahead, Team 15 carried with them the confidence that came from knowing they could depend on each other. They had faced their first real test as a team during the genin examination, and today's training had shown them that their individual capabilities were stronger than they had realized.

Tomorrow would bring their first combat mission, with all the dangers and moral complexities that implied. But they would face it together, as a team, with the skills and determination that had brought them this far.

The real test of their ninja careers was about to begin.